Factors in Yunnan-Tibet door aesthetics: object attributes, individual differences, and visual attractiveness

As living heritage actively used by communities, entrance doors in the Yunnan-Tibet region embody “hybrid aesthetics” from multi-ethnic Tibetan-Han-Bai craft integration, yet how material authenticity and communal meaning shape visual aesthetic mechanisms remains empirically unexplored. Grounded in Information Processing Theory, this exploratory pilot study investigates how object attributes of vernacular doors shape aesthetic preference through visual attractiveness as a mediator, with individual differences examined as boundary conditions in the Yunnan-Tibet region. Vernacular architecture serves as a critical medium for cultural diversity and place identity, yet quantitative research on micro-level aesthetic mechanisms remains limited. This study addresses this gap by analyzing 20 doors from Yunnan-Tibet Tibetan villages via CMFP theory-guided attribute decomposition. Exploratory PCA of eye-tracking data from 32 participants yielded a “visual attractiveness” composite, which was validated against 5-point Likert ratings. At the input stage, attractiveness perceptions were significantly enhanced by complementary colours ( p = 0.011, η²=0.414), high saturation ( p = 0.010, η²=0.417), glossy finishes ( p = 0.045, η²=0.205), and medium-high pattern density ( p = 0.036, η²=0.323), whereas material identity was nullified by coating disguises. Morphological complexity correlated with attractiveness ( r = 0.585, p = 0.007), but novelty did not. Key finding: Visual attractiveness functioned as a complete mediator (78.5–101.9%), supporting attention allocation as a potential pathway for heritage aesthetic experience. Visual attractiveness and preference demonstrated perfect consistency (Kendall’s W = 1.0, p < 0.001) and strong co-variation (r = 0.859, p < 0.001), with 73.8% of variance accounted for (AP = 3.10 + 0.78×VA, R² = 0.738). Individual differences: Professional background elevated baselines ( p = 0.011, d = 0.63) without moderating the VA → AP slope; physiological gender showed no effect. These findings suggest a preliminary Rural Architectural Style Scorecard prioritizing “visual anchors” for conservation intervention in Yunnan-Tibet Tibetan dwellings, offering a validated framework for digital preservation of vernacular heritage.